Trolley conductor device



March 28, 1944. R. P. l-lANNA ETAl.

TROLLEY CONDUCTOR DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Ot. 24, 1911].

WITNESSES:

March 28, R. HANNA ET AL TROLLEY CONDUCTOR DEVICE Filed Oct. 24, 1941 2 SheetsSheet 2 WITNESSES:

W ATTO EY Patented Mar. 2S, 1944 TROLLEY CONDUCTOR DEVICE Raymond P. Hanna, Wilkinsburg, and Angus G.

Scott, Mount Lebanon, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company,

East Pittsburgh, Pa.

Sylvania a corporation of Penn- Application October 24, 194i, Serial, No. 416,342

Claims. (Cl. 246-252) Our invention relates, generally, to trolley conductor devices, and it has reference, in particu.-v lar, to contact devices for use in trolley conductor systems for controlling the operation of electric frogs, and the like.

Generally stated, it is an object of our invention to provide a simple and eiective trolley conductor Contact device which is inexpensive to manufacture and is reliable in operation.

More specifically, it is an object of our invention to provide a contact device for use in trolley conductor systems wherein a movable contact member actuated by a current collector operates Contact means to provide auxiliary interruption of a circuit controlled by the contact device upon disengagement of the current collector with the movable contact member.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a contact device, for pivotally supporting a movable contact member in predetermined spaced relation to a runner member for engagement by a current collector traversing the runner member.

A further object of the invention is to provide for utilizing a trolley conductor section insulator as a support for a movable contact member disposed to be actuated by a passing current collector.

Yet another object of the invention is to utilize a metallic runner member guiding a current co1- lector as one Contact member in the contact dcvce for operating a control relay to select one or another of a plurality of control circuits, and utilize a contact member positioned in predetermined longitudinal relation to the runner member for energizing the control circuit selected.

A still further object of our invention is to provide for supporting a metallic runner member between, and in spaced relation to, a pair of metallic end members connected to a trolley conductor, and electrically connecting the end members by means of a metallic strain member positioned between the end members.

Another' important object of our invention is to provide for utilizing auxiliary contact means operable in response to the disengagement of a current collector from a control Contact member for providing an interrupting gap or gaps in the circuit of the contact member.

Other objects will, in part, be obvious, and will, in part, appear hereinafter. s

In accordance with our invention, we provide a simple and eiiicient Contact device which may be used `for controlling the operation of electric frogs or switches in trolley conductor systems. The contact device may comprise an elongated metallic runner member secured to a body member such as, vfor example, a section insulator, and insulated from the trolley conductor so that the operating coil oi an associated control relay having control contacts may be connected there between for energization whenever a current collector engages the runner member and is drawing power. A control contact member may be movably supported in spaced relation to the runner member for subsequent engagement by the current collector to complete an energizing circuit for the frogs or switches through contacts of the contro-l relay. In order to assist in interrupting the control circuit as the current collector disengages the contact member, auxiliary contact means may be provided, actuable by the movable contact member to interrupt the control circuit when the current collector disengages the contact member.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of our invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View, sectioned in part, of a trolley conductor contact device embodying the principal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1j

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line III- III of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a trolley conductor system illustrating an application of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 through 3, the reference numeral I may denote, generally, a trolley rconductor contact device, such as may be used for controlling the operation of electric frogs or switches in an overhead trolley conductor system. The contact device may comprise a support or body member Ilto which the adjacent ends of the trolley conductor (not shown) may be secured, a metallic runner member l2, a control contact member l3, and a control relay I4 adapted to be energized from the runner member.

The support or body member H may be of any suitable construction, and may, for example, comprise atleast in part, a section insulator, having a pair of spaced end: members l5 and I 6 provided with means such as the setscrewsy l1 for securing the adjacent ends of a trolley conductor thereto. Renewable wear members IS may be provided if desired, and means such as the boss I9 may be provided for attaching a support wire or the like to the support or body member.

The end members I and I6 may be maintained in spaced relation by suitable means, such as the elongated tension member 20, which may be connected to the end members adjacent the lower ends thereof by means of transverse bolts 2I, and an elongated compression member 22 connected between the end members adjacent the upper ends thereof by means such as the bolts 23 to maintain the end members in the proper alignment. The tension and compression members may be of any suitable design, although for purposes of simplicity and standardization of parts, we prefer to utilize an insulating tension member such as may be used in section insulators, having an insulating covering on at least the central portion. The compression member 2B may also be of insulating material. However, as it is usually desirable to electrically connect the end members to preserve the continuity of the conductor system, the compression member 22 may comprise a metal bar threaded at the ends to receive the bolts 231 so as to electrically connect the end members, and provided with a suitable insulating covering 24 intermediate the ends so that the relay I4 may be supported thereon by means of brackets 25 and insulated therefrom. A housing 26 may be provided for enclosing the relay.

In order to provide for controlling the energization of the control relay I4, suitable contact means may be provided, such as the metallic runner member I2, which may be positioned between the end members I5 and I6 and separated therefrom at the ends by air gaps 21. The runner member may be supported in any suitable manner, being, for example, a substantially U-shaped member provided with upstanding spaced-apart ears 23 adapted to be positioned abo-ut the tension member 2D and actuated into clamping engagement therewith by means of bolts 29 passing through the upper portions thereof. Suitable means may be provided for connecting the operating winding of the control relay I4 in series circuit relation with the runner member I2 and one of the end members, such as the conductors 3l] and 3|, which may be connected to the end member I5 and to the runner member I2, respectively.

In order to provide for energizing a control circuit set up by the relay I4 through its contact members lila. and I4b as shown in Fig. 4, suitable contact means may be provided on one or both sides of the support member, such as -the control contact member I3, which may be posi tioned adjacent to and along one side of the runner member I2, so as to be engaged by a current collector 32 shown in dotted outline in Figs. 2 and 3 traversing the runner member. Since the contact device is usually utilized for controlling the operation of electric frogs, switches, or other trolley conductor devices for directing the operation of electrically operated vehicles in a given direction, the contact member I3 may be positioned in predetermined longitudinal relation to the runner member I2. In this instance the contact device shown in Fig. l is to control the operation of trolley frogs or switches to direct the movement of electrically -operated vehicles moving in a direction from right to left thereon. The rightha'nd' end of the contact member I3 is, therefore, preferably 'positioned relatively distant from the righthand end of the runner member I2, so as to provide a suitable time delay between the energization of the control relay I4 through engagement of the current collector with the runner member I2 and the energization of the control circuit controlled by the control relay through the engagement of the current collector with the contact member I3, so as to insure that the control relay is in the desired position before the circuits controlled through its contact members are energized.

In order to insure positive contact engagement of the contact member I3 with the current collector without impeding its passage, the contact member I3 may be movably supported with respect to the runner member I2. For example, suitable insulating means, such as the insulating plates 34 and 35, may be interposed between the compression and tension members and held in predetermined spaced relation by means of insulating spacers 37, 38, 39 and 4B. Bearing brackets 4I may be secured to the insulating plate 34 by bolts 42 for supporting a rotatable shaft 43 along one side of the tension member 20. Spaced support arms 44 may be secured to the shaft 43 intermediate their ends and the contact member I3 may be detachably secured to the lower end portions 46 thereof by means of bolts 41. Suitable mea-ns may be provided adjacent the upper end portions 48 of the support arms for biasing the contact member I3 into predetermined spaced relation with the runner member I2. For example, springs 58 may be positioned in recesses 5I between the upper ends of the support arms and the insulating plate 34 for this purpose.

In order to permit a relatively close spacing between the movable contact member I3 and the runner member I2 so as to ensure a positive Contact of the contact member with a passing current collector without incurring the possibility of a ashover, auxiliary contact means indicated generally by the numeral 52 may be provided for inserting one or more gaps in series with the contact member. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a contact arm 54 may be secured to the shaft 43 and provided with a bridging contact member 55 adjacent its upper end. Stationary contact members 56 and 5l may be mounted on the insulating plate 34 for engagement by the bridging contact member 55, and may be connected in series circuit relation with the contact member I3 and the control circuits controlled by the control relay I4, by means of conductors 59 and 5I), respectively. In order to ensure positive Contact between the bridging member 55 and the stationary contact members 58 and 51 during the passage of a current collector by the contact member I3, the bridging contact member 55 may be yieldingly supported on the contact arm 54 by means of the screw 6I and spring 62.

In order to protect the contact member I3 and its supporting means against damage by a dewired current collector striking any portion thereof, suitable guard means may be provided. For example, a substantially channel shaped guard member 64 may be positioned about the contact member and support arms, and connected between the end members I5 and I6 adjacent the lower ends thereof by means of the bolts 2|, the guard member being bowed outwardly to pass around the `support arms of the contactmember I3 so as to deflect any dewired current` collectorl therefrom.-

Referring to Fig. 4, which illustrates schemati-w cally a trolley conductor switching system embodying the invention, the reference numerals 65 and 66 may represent main trolley conductors and the numerals 61 and 68 branch conductors associated therewith. Frogs or switches 69 and 'l0 may be provided for controlling the connections between the main and branch conductors. It will be seen that the operating winding 'Il of the relay I4 may be connected in series circuit relation between the trolley conductor 63 and the metallic runner member I2, so as to be energized whenever a current collecter passes from the trolley conductor to the metallic runner member while drawing power. The control relay I4 may be adjusted to operate when current through its winding 'II is more than a predetermined value, which value represents maximum auxiliary current so that false operations thereof will not result. Dependent on whether or not the current collector is drawing sufficient power, the contact members Ida. or lllb` of the control relay I4 are closed to complete a control circuit to the operating coils of the trolley frogs, indicated generally by the block 12, for operating the frogs 69 and 'l to the through or turn position.

Upon subsequent engagement of the current collector with the movable contact member I3, the operating windings of the frogs in the circuit completed by the control relay I4 are energized through the circuit extending from the contact member I3, conductor 59, stationary contact member 5S, bridging contact member 55, stationary contact member 51, conductor` Eil, and the contact members Ilia or Ib of the relay lll, depending on its position. Upon disengagement or the current collector from the contact member i3, the contact member returns to its normal position under the biasing force of the springs 5t, and the bridging member 55 is actuated to interrupt the control circuit, thus inserting a pair of gaps therein, which greatly reduce any arcing between the current collector and the movable contact member I3, and greatly minimize the possibility of arcing between the contact member and the current collector or iiashover between the movable contact member and the runner member I2.

From the above description and the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that we have provided in a simple and eiective manner for increasing the interrupting power of trolley conductor contact devices, so as to minimize arcing and the possibility of lashover. By using auxiliary control gaps, the normal spacing between the runner member and the contact member may be reduced safely, reducing the width of the contact device and minimizing the possibility of damage by a dewired current collector. A contact device embodying the features of our invention may be readily constructed, since the basic elements comprise many of those of section insulators, thus reducing greatly the number of extra parts required. Since the current collector is positively guided by means of the runner member throughout the length of the contact device, such a contact device may be traversed at relatively high speeds without possibility of wobbling or dewirement of the current collector.

Since certain changes may be made in the above description, and dierent embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, it is intended that all the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be considered as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

l. A series contact device for use in an overhead trolley conductor system comprising, a body portion having means to secure adjacent ends of a trolley conductor thereto, a substantially rigid metallic runner member supported by the body member in insulated and spaced relation relative to the conductor, circuit means connecting the runner member and conductor, a lateral contact member positioned along one side of the runner member in spaced and insulated relation relative thereto for engagement by a current collector traversing the runner member, and auxiliary contact means operatively connected for operation in response to movement of the contact member and connected in series circuit relation therewith.

2. A control device for trolley conductor systems comprising, a body member having end members for securing adjacent ends of a trolley conductor thereto, a metallic runner member positioned in predetermined relation between and insulated from the end members, a pivotally mounted contact member positioned on one side of the runner member intermediate the ends of the runner member for engagement by a current collector, auxiliary contact means actuated by the contact member operable to provide a pair of serially related gaps upon disengagement of the collector and contact member, and a relay having an operating winding connected between the conductor and the runner member provided with contact members disposed to be connected in series circuit relation with the auxiliary contact means.

3. A trolley conductor control device comprising, a body member, a fixed conducting runner member positioned along the lower side of the body member for guiding a current collector, a movable contact member positioned along one side of the runner member in spaced relation thereto for engagement by the current collector to energize an associated circuit, a support member pivotally mounted on the body member connected to the contact member adjacent the lower end, a plurality of auxiliary contact members connected in series with the contact member and the associated circuit and operated by the contact member, and means associated with the support member adjustable to Vary the spacing between the contact member and the conducting runner member.

4. A contact device comprising, a body member, a fixed metallic runner member secured to the body member for guiding a current collector, a support member pivotally supported intermediate its ends positioned on one side of the body member, a contact member supported by the support member in predetermined spaced relation to and on one side of the runner member for engagement by a current collector traversing the runner member, auxiliary contact means operated by the contact member and connected in series relation with the contact member, and means including resilient means associated with the upper end of the support member for biasing the contact member into predetermined spaced relation with the runner member for connection thereto upon engagement with the current collector.

5. A control device for trolley conductor systems, comprising, an elongated body member having a fixed conducting runner' member along the lower edge to guide a current collector, a contact member yieldingly supported in relatively close spaced relation to and along one side of the runner member, auxiliary contact means mounted on the body member connected in series relation with the contact member and runner member to prevent arcing therebetween and means responsive to movement of the contact means for operating the auxiliary contact means.

6. The combination with a control relay having an operating winding and control circuit with a plurality of control contacts for controlling the operation of trolley devices, of a' support member having means adjacent the ends i'or ecuring a trolley conductor thereto, a metallic runner member secured to the support member and insulated from the trolley conductor, circuit means disposed to connect the operating winding between the trolley conductor and the runner member, a contact member yieldingly supported adjacent the runner member on one side thereof for engagement by a current collector traversing the runner member, and auxiliary contact means disposed to be connected in circuit relation with said control contacts responsive to movement of the Contact member to open the control circuit when the current collector disengages the contact member.

7. A control device for trolley conductor systems comprising, a support member, a metallic runner member positioned along the lower side of the support member, a contact member resiliently supported in spaced relation to and on one side of the runner member for engagement by a current collector traversing the runner member, and auxiliary contact means connected in series circuit relation with the contact member responsive to movement of the contact member to open when the current collector disengages the contact member.

8. The combination in a trolley conductor con.- tact device, of an elongated support member having a iixed conducting runner portion on the lower side for guiding a current collector, depending support means pivotally supported by the support member on one side, a movable contact member secured to the support means adjacent its lower end for connection to the runner portion by a current collector in engagement therewith, means biasing the support means to adjustably position the contact member in different predetermined spaced relations to the conducting runner portion, and auxiliary contact means electrically connected in series relation with the contact member operable to provide a gap in series with the contact member when disengaged by a current collector.

9. A trolley conductor contact device comprising, a pair of spaced end members mechanically connected by an insulating tension member and a metallic compression member electrically connecting the end members, a runner portion along the lower edge of the tension member, a pair of support members secured intermediate their ends to a support bar, means associated with the tension and compression members rotatably supporting the support bar on one side of the runner portion, a contact member detachably secured to the lower ends of the support members in spaced relation to the runner portion, and spring means associated with the upper ends of the support members to bias the contact member into predetermined spacedl relation with the runner portion.

10. A control device for trolley conductor systems comprising, a pair of metallic end members having means for securing a trolley conductor thereto, an insulating tension member connecting the end members adjacent their lower edges, a metallic compression member positioned in spaced relation to the tension member mechanically and electrically connecting the end members adjacent their upper edges, a runner member positioned between and in spaced relation to the end members for guiding a current collector, a contact member positioned on one side of and in spaced relation to the runner member for engagement by a current collector traversing the runner member, insulating meansY interposed between the tension and compression members, depending support means pivotally mounted on the insulating means connected to the contact member, and resilient means associated with the support means to bias the contact member into predetermined spaced relation With the runner member.

11. A contact device comprising, spaced end members connected to adjacent portions of a trolley conductor, a tension member connecting the end members adjacent the lower edges, a metallic compression member electrically connecting the end members adjacent the upper edges, a metallic runner member secured to the tension member on the lower side and spaced and insulated -from the end members, insulating means interposed between the tension and compression members, depending support means pivotally supported by the insulating means for movement transverse to the axis of the conductor, and a contact member supported by the support means in spaced relation to and on one side of the runner member.

12. A Contact' device' for trolley conductor systems comprising, an elongated support member connected to a trolley conductor and having a xed metallic runner portion along the lower edge for guiding a current collector, support means pivotal transverse to the axis of the conductor supported by the support member, a renewable contact member supported by the support means on one side of and in spaced relation to the runner portion for engagement by a current collector traversing tlie runner portion, and auxiliary contact means connected in series circuit relation with the contact member operable in response to movement of the contact member.

13. A contact device comprising, a support member having a xed conducting runner portion on the lower side, a contact member yieldingly supported on one side of and in spaced relation to the runner portion for engagementv by afcurrent collector traversing the runner portion, and auxiliary contact means connected in series circuit relation with the contact member operable in response to movement of the contact member.

14. A contact device comprising, a support member havingr end members for attachment to a trolley conductor, a contact member positioned on Vone side ofthe support member for engagement by a current collector, yieldable support means dependent from the support member connected to the Contact member, and a guard member secured adjacent the ends to the end members having an outwardly bowed intermediate portion extending about the support means.

15. A trolley conductor device comprising, a

relatively long and narrow body member` adapted to be connected to a trolley conductor, an elone-- gated contact member -positioned on one side o i the body member for engagement by a current collector, a pair of sunport arms pivotally mounted on one side of thefbody member and connected to the Contact member; and a guard bar secured adjacent the ends to the body member having an 

